On Monday, we will commemorate the 83rd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth. Reflecting on his legacy, I recall 2 speeches I gave in 2011. On 2 vastly different subjects, they shared the commonality of challenge. At the National Institutes of Health, I was fortunate to be asked to provide last year’s NIH National Day of Remembrance Speech in honor of Dr. King. In the 1960s, he challenged the status quo, fighting for racial justice and an end to racially based disparities. Even now, 43 years after his death, Martin Luther King continues challenging us to carry on that battle.

Last June, I spoke at the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The theme was “Meeting the Grand Challenges.” I talked about the scientific work the Institute for Regenerative Engineering is doing here at UConn, work with the potential to revolutionize the field. Mainly, though, I talked about the people doing that work. We have been very, very blessed here at the Institute. We have brought together a wonderful group of scientists of diverse backgrounds—all good people—with protean interests that work together.

I constantly think of Dr. King’s challenge: “What are you doing for others?” It is my hope that all of us keep that in mind as we face the challenges ahead in science, in medicine, and, most importantly, in our lives as members of our local and global communities.

Dear Colleagues,

We are nearing the end of a very successful year for students, fellows, and faculty at the Institute for Regenerative Engineering. I thank everyone for their hard work and enthusiasm. Please enjoy a happy and safe holiday season. I wish you and yours all the best in 2012.

With warm regards,

Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.
University Professor
Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Professor of Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Engineering
Chief Executive Officer
Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science
Director, Institute for Regenerative Engineering
University of Connecticut

Last week, I had the privilege of giving the opening invited speech for the Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration Symposium at the Materials Research Society in Boston. I spoke about our Institute’s work in building matrices for bone regeneration using polymeric materials and ceramics. I focused on some of our new theories regarding the design of matrix systems that can be inductive for Bone. I want to thank my co-authors of this work and I also want to provide a special thanks to Professor Mei Wei who invited me to give the lecture at the meeting.

I recently attended the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE) meeting where I was elected a Fellow of the Institute. Previously I was named one of the 100 Chemical Engineers of the Modern Era by the AICHE for my work in the design of polymer-ceramic systems for bone repair and regeneration. An award such as that is only possible with the support of a large number of students and colleagues who have worked with me over the past years. Some of the earliest individuals included Dr. Hoda Elgendy, Dr. Maria Norman, and Dr. Mohammed Attawia my first fellows, and Dr. Carol Morris, my first graduate student. They joined my lab at M.I.T. when I was still an orthopaedic surgery resident and worked on some of the seminal studies in the field. To them, and others, I give my thanks.

I had the great fortune to meet with the leaders of the African Academy of Sciences (Dr. Mohamed Hassan, President) and the Third World Academy of Sciences Dr. C.N.R. Rao, former President) at its recent annual meeting. I discussed our new National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center application and have asked them both to join our advisory board. Our Institute has forged collaborations with institutions in India which have included the exchange of students. In addition, faculty in our Institute have been involved in the establishment of the African Institute of Science and Technology. I am very proud of our Institute’s work in the international arena in teaching and research.

I was really excited to attend the Helen I. Moorehead-Laurencin, M.D., Sex and Gender Forum at Drexel University. Now in its 10th year, the Forum honors the memory of my mother, an extraordinary physician who worked in the inner city of Philadelphia. Dr. Helen Laurencin was very passionate about clinical care, research and education, and served as a quiet leader for the community. The Forum, sponsored by the Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership at Drexel, is a fitting tribute to her work and her legacy. Attending the Forum was the next generation member of the Laurencin medical family, Sam Laurencin. He is completing an M.D. at Drexel Medical School, and his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Sam plans to enter a career as an academic orthopaedic surgeon.

I am very grateful to the leadership of Drexel including Lynn Yeakel, Dr. Michelle Follen, and Dr. Sandra Urdaneta Hartmann for putting on such a fine program.